Expandable Styling Garment Apparatus, Systems, and Methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to expandable styling garment apparatuses, systems, and methods. Specifically, the present invention relates to a first section made of absorbent material and a second ring-shaped section made of elastic material, the second section disposed roughly centrally in the first section. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to placing the first and second sections over a user in a first configuration for use in a first application and subsequently and/or alternatively placing the first and second sections in a second configuration for use in a second application. The first and second sections may be expandable.

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/307,721, titled “Expandable Styling Garment Apparatus, Systems, and Methods”, filed Jun. 18, 2014, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to expandable styling garment apparatuses, systems, and methods. Specifically, the present invention relates to a first section made of absorbent material and a second ring-shaped section made of elastic material, the second section disposed roughly centrally in the first section. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to placing the first and second sections over a user in a first configuration for use in a first application and subsequently and/or alternatively placing the first and second sections in a second configuration for use in a second application. The first and second sections may be expandable.

BACKGROUND

It is, of course, generally known to style hair, including washing, rinsing, cutting, blow-drying, and using products such as gel, wax, paste, glue, spray, and/or mousse. It is also well known to style hair frequently. Human hair grows around half a millimeter or so per day, which is a little over half an inch every month. People repeatedly go to hair salons and barbers in order to keep hair styled and/or cut.

Often, when hair is cut, hair clippings fall downwardly onto the person getting his or her hair cut. Not only can a person become covered in hair clippings, but also these clippings can get stuck on, in, or between clothing. This frequently leads to annoying and irritating poking, itching, and rubbing. Hair clippings can even fall back onto one's head and fall out later, again getting on, in, or between clothing. People often need to use lint rollers, change clothing, and/or shower after getting a haircut to get rid of the clippings. Additionally, washing clothing covered in hair clippings can help remove the hair. However, sometimes even after showering and washing clothing, hair clippings can remain.

If removing hair clippings cannot completely be done after a haircut, it is best to prevent hair clippings from falling onto skin and clothing during a haircut. Regularly, barbers and hair stylists surround a person in a cape to keep hair clippings off that person and his or her clothing. These capes are commonly made of nylon, vinyl, polyurethane, cotton, or polyester. The capes are wrapped around a person's neck and connected to itself through Velcro®, ties, clips, buttons, or the like. Commonly, these capes cannot form a secure fit around a person's neck because of the locations of the Velcro®, ties, clips, and buttons or because of the various shapes and sizes of peoples' necks. An additional disadvantage to these capes is that the material is typically inflexible. Once secured, the capes are either too tight and choke the person or too loose and let hair clippings fall beneath the cape.

Hair clippings often still get stuck around a person's neck when using a cape, which can lead to irritation around a person's shirt collar. Often, a fabric strip is placed around a person's neck before surrounding the person with the cape. This extra layer helps in preventing hair clippings from getting stuck around a person's neck, but does not prevent it completely. The extra layer often creates a tighter fit around a person's neck. Additionally, the fabric strip is often held tighter where the cape contacts the fabric strip, which may cause the sides of the fabric strip to fray outwardly away from a person's neck, effectively creating a funnel between the person's neck and the fabric strip for collecting hair clippings. A need, therefore, exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods for creating a secure and comfortable fit around a person's neck. Further, a need exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that prevent hair clippings from falling onto a person's clothing and skin, with preference to the neck region.

Before and after hair is cut, it is often washed, shampooed, and rinsed, leaving it wet. A towel is sometimes used to dry hair directly by blotting or rubbing, but may also be wrapped around hair, especially long hair, for a less abrasive drying technique. When wrapping one's head with a towel, the tightness of the wrap is often determined by how it is wrapped. As with the capes, the towel may be wrapped too tightly and be uncomfortable, or may be wrapped too loosely and allow water and/or wet hair from leaving the towel wrap. A need, therefore, exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that create a secure and comfortable fit around a person's head.

Towel wraps are often an additional tool utilized by barbers or hair stylists. Often, people will be given both a cape and a towel wrap while at the barber or salon. A need exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that combine capes and towel wraps together.

Commonly, both capes and towel wraps come in pre-defined sizes. These sizes are frequently not one-size-fits-all. In fact, salons, barbers, and consumers may need multiple sizes of capes and/or towel wraps to fit different people, lengths of hair, etc. Therefore, a need exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that adjust to different sizes and shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to expandable styling garment apparatuses, systems, and methods. Specifically, the present invention relates to a first section made of absorbent material and a second ring-shaped section made of elastic material, the second section disposed roughly centrally in the first section. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to placing the first and second sections over a user in a first configuration for use in a first application and subsequently and/or alternatively placing the first and second sections in a second configuration for use in a second application. The first and second sections may be expandable.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first section, wherein the first section is made of an absorbent material, a first hole disposed within the first section, a second section disposed around a border of the first hole comprising an elastic material, and a second hole formed by the second section.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing apparatus with a first section, wherein the first section is made of an absorbent material, a first hole disposed within the first section, a second section disposed around a border of the first hole comprising an elastic material, and a second hole formed by the second section so dimensioned to fit around a neck of the user; moving the apparatus over the head of the user, wherein the head of the user passes through the first hole and second hole; and leaving the apparatus over the user, wherein the second section is comfortably secured around a neck of the user.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing apparatus with a first section, wherein the first section is made of an absorbent material, a first hole disposed within the first section, a second section disposed around a border of the first hole comprising an elastic material, and a second hole formed from the second section; moving the apparatus over a portion of the head of the user, wherein the portion of the head of the user passes through the first hole and second hole; leaving the apparatus around the head of the user, wherein the second section is comfortably secured around the head of the user; and wrapping the first section around a top of the head of the user.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods for creating a secure and comfortable fit around a person's neck.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods that prevent hair clippings from falling onto a person's clothing and skin, with preference to the neck region.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods for creating a secure and comfortable fit around a person's head.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods that combine capes and towel wraps together.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods that adjust to different sizes and shapes.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a styling apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a styling apparatus with a fastening device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a styling apparatus with an extension section in a first configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a styling apparatus with an extension section in a second configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a styling apparatus around a person in a first configuration in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the styling apparatus around a person's head in an alternate configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the styling apparatus around a person's head in an alternate configuration in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the styling apparatus around a person's head in an alternate configuration in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the styling apparatus around a person's head in an alternate configuration in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to expandable styling garment apparatuses, systems, and methods. Specifically, the present invention relates to a first section made of absorbent material and a second ring-shaped section made of elastic material, the second section disposed roughly centrally in the first section. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to placing the first and second sections over a user in a first configuration for use in a first application and subsequently and/or alternatively placing the first and second sections in a second configuration for use in a second application. The first and second sections may be expandable.

Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a styling apparatus 10. The styling apparatus 10 may comprise a first section 12 and a second section 14. The first section 12 may be of any shape such as triangular, circular, polygonal, or any combination thereof but may preferably have a hole 16 disposed therein. The second section 14 may be disposed around the hole 16 in the first section 12. The first section 12 may be stitched, glued, sewn, buttoned, Velcro'd, or otherwise attached to the second section 14 about the hole 16. The second section 14 may form a hole 18. A person may be able to look and/or place objects through the hole 18 and through the hole 16. Specifically, a person's head may fit through the hole 18 and the hole 16, therefore allowing the person's head to be above the styling apparatus 10 while the person's body is below the styling apparatus 10.

The first section 12 may be made of an absorbent material such as foam, cloth, paper, sponge, chamois leather, or any other absorbent material known to one skilled in the art. Preferably, the first section 12 may be made from towel material because it is both absorbent and washable for multiple uses. The first section 12 may be large enough to cover a person's body, but may be sized to cover a portion of a person's body, such as the upper body.

Preferably, the second section 14 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, latex, nylon, thermoplastic elastomers, resin, elastin, elastomeric olefin, any other elastic material known to one skilled in the art, and any combination thereof. Additionally, the second section 14 may be surrounded with soft material comfortable to the skin such as cloth, cotton, or other non-abrasive non-allergenic material known to one skilled in the art. The second section 14 may be sized to securely fit around the head and the neck of a person using the styling apparatus 10. Preferably, the second section 14 may be closely head against the neck of a person to prevent hair clippings or other debris from passing therethrough or becoming stuck therein. Additionally, the second section 14 may not choke, cut off blood circulation, or otherwise harm the person the second section 14 is around. Alternatively, the second section 14 may be made of any material but may have a closure attached thereto. The closure may be snaps, buttons, pull chords, Velcro®, rope, cords with cord locks, other closures known to one skilled in the art, or any combination thereof.

Preferably, the bottom of the second section 14 may be attached to the first section 12 around the hole 16. The hole 16 may be wider than the hole 18. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom of the second section 14 may be stretched wider than the top of the second section 14. Of course, alternatively, the bottom and top of the second section 14 may be stretched and/or proportioned similarly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the styling apparatus 10 may have at least one fastening device 20 disposed thereon. Preferably, the at least one fastening device 20 may be disposed on an underside of the first section 12. The at least one fastening device 20 may be able to attach to any location on the first section 12, or alternatively may be able to attach to a corresponding at least one fastening device 20. The at least one fastening device 20 may be hooks, snaps, buttons, Velcro®, rope, ties, other fasteners known to one skilled in the art, or any combination thereof.

The at least one fastening device 20 may be used to adjust the size of the styling apparatus 10. A portion of the first section 12 may be folded or otherwise moved and attached to another portion of the first section by the at least one fastening device 20. In this way, the styling apparatus 10 may cover different areas of a person, different heights, and/or different widths.

Additionally, the styling apparatus 10 may have at least one extension 22, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. The at least one extension 22 may be disposed on the styling apparatus 10 or may be disposable on the styling apparatus 10 using the at least one fastening device 20. The at least one extension 22 may be made of a similar material to that of the styling apparatus 10. Moreover, the at least one extension 22 may fold or otherwise extend, as shown in FIG. 3B, effectively lengthening the styling apparatus 10. The at least one extension 22 may also have at least one fastening device 20 disposed thereon, for undoing the extension.

As shown in FIG. 4, the styling apparatus 10 may be disposed around a person in a first configuration. Specifically, the first section 12 and the second section 14 of the styling apparatus 10 may be pulled over the head 32 of a person 30. The second section 14 may stretch to securely fit around a neck 34 of the person 30. The first section 12 may hang downwardly from the neck 34 and around the shoulders and body of the person 30. A stylist or another may therefore wash, dye, cut, style the hair of the person 30 without worrying about getting hair, water, or styling product on the skin or clothes of the person 30. The second section 14 may maintain a secure fit around the neck 34 of the person 30 and prevent hair from entering the styling apparatus 10.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the styling apparatus 10 may be pulled up around the head 32 of the person 30, specifically with the second section 14 stretched around the head of the person 30 and the first section 12 hanging over the face, shoulders, and body of the person 30. In this embodiment, a stylist or another may wash, dye, cut, or style the hair of the person 30 by isolating the hair of the person 30. This may prevent water, dye, hair clippings, or product from getting anywhere on the person 30 or his or her clothing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the styling apparatus 10 may be disposed around the person 30 in a second configuration. Specifically, first section 12 and the second section 14 of the styling apparatus 10 may be pulled up around the head 32 of the person 30. This may occur after a haircut and after the styling apparatus 10 has been in the first configuration. If so, the first section 12 may be pulled upward over the person 30. The second section 14 may be flipped inside out and may be comfortably secured around the head 32 of the person 30. This may be done before or after shaking free any loose hair clippings. Any remaining hair clippings may be thereby collected and held within the styling apparatus 10, without leaving any on the person 30.

The second section 14 may stretch to securely fit around the head 32 of the person 30. The first section 12 may be pulled upwardly around the hair of the person 30. A stylist or another may therefore dry and/or shake free loose hair after a wash, dye, cut, style, or other styling application known to one skilled in the art. The second section 14 may maintain a secure fit around the head 32 of the person 30 and prevent water and hair from leaving the styling apparatus 10.

Further shown in FIG. 7, the styling apparatus 10 and specifically the first section 12, may be hung from the head 32 of the person 30 down and around the shoulders of the person 30. A stylist may be able to dry the hair of the person 30 by rubbing, twisting, dabbing, or other technique known to one skilled in the art. A stylist or another may also apply other styling techniques in this or any other configuration such as highlights, perms, feathering, blow dry, dyes and other known techniques.

As shown in FIG. 8, the styling apparatus 10 may be disposed around the person 30 in a third configuration. Specifically, as in FIG. 5, the first section 12 and the second section 14 of the styling apparatus 10 may be pulled up around the head 32 of the person 30. The second section 14 may stretch to securely fit around the head 32 of the person 30. The first section 12 may be pulled upwardly around the hair of the person 30. The first section 12 may then be wrapped around the hair of the person 30 and tied to dry the hair of the person 30 less abrasively. The styling apparatus 10 may be tied as shown in FIG. 6, but may be otherwise held together by a mesh, rope, clips or may be otherwise secured by the at least one fastening device 20. The styling apparatus 10 may be tied without needing to worry about the styling apparatus 10 staying on the head 32 of the person 30. The second section 14 may hold the styling apparatus 10 on the head 32 of the person 30 and the styling apparatus 10 may be tied to comfort. Alternatively, the styling apparatus 10 may be tied tightly to squeeze dry the hair of the person 30.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 

We claim:
 1. A method for using a hair apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hair apparatus comprising a first section, a first hole disposed within the first section, a second section disposed around a border of the first hole comprising an elastic material, and a second hole formed by the second section that adapts in size to a plurality of neck and head sizes; and moving the hair apparatus over the head of the user in a first configuration, wherein the head of the user passes through the first hole and second hole and the second section rests on and is adapted in size to the neck of the user.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hair apparatus further comprises a first fastening device, the method further comprising the step of attaching an extension to the first section via the first fastening device.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the extension comprises a second fastening device, the method further comprising the step of attaching a portion of the extension to the second fastening device.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user has hair, the method further comprising the step of washing the hair of the user.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the user has hair, the method further comprising the step of styling the hair of the user.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user has hair, the method further comprising the step of cutting the hair of the user.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: moving the hair apparatus to a top of the head of the user in a second configuration, wherein the second section rests on and is adapted to the top of the head of the user and the first section is situated around the top of the head of the user.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of rubbing the head of the user with the first section.
 9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: wrapping the first section around the top of the head of the user; and tying the first section together.
 10. A method of using a hair apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hair apparatus comprising a first section, a first hole disposed within the first section, a second section disposed around a border of the first hole comprising an elastic material, and a second hole formed from the second section that adapts in size to a plurality of neck and head sizes; placing the hair apparatus on a top of the head of the user in a first configuration, wherein the second section rests on and is adapted to the top of the head of the user and the first section is situated around the top of the head of the user.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of rubbing the head of the user with the first section.
 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: wrapping the first section around the top of the head of the user; and tying the first section together. 